opinions on these as possible buys...

A

afiendishthingy

New Member
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcd/3580683436.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/3565201450.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/mcy/3487207269.html

First off, I'm new to the site and have been perusing for a while. I gave ridden dirt bikes for years (track and desert riding) and know how to ride, but gave little experience on the street. I have decided to get a project and get my license! To the point, the first two are in rough shape to say the least, but cheap. I'm just wondering what kind of work and about how much money they would be to at least get them on the road (I know a lot of factors are missing and would influence the result, but I'm just asking about what people have done with similar projects). Thanks guys!
 
How important is the title in your area? Some places it is a deal breaker......
 
For a first bike I really think people should get a good running bike that might just need a little elbow grease here and there and some cosmetic issues fixed to their liking. I've been there and though my bike was running it wasn't running well and took a lot of time and money to get right... time I could have spent riding instead of wrenching. Not that it was bad for me, I learned that I love wrenching on these old bikes, probably more than riding. But if your intent is to get a bike to ride then...

No to the first one. Has a title but you'll spend a lot of money on all those missing pieces.
No to the second. It has no title and looks to be missing even more.
No to the third. No title and seems like a lot of money for a non-running, non-titled basket case that he *thinks* he has all the pieces for.

However, if you combined #1 and #3 you'd have a titled frame and a lot of parts that should build a complete bike and hopefully some spares. But you'd still have a $1500 basket case. Even if the engine is in good shape and doesn't need any work you're still going to have to buy a lot of cables, wheel bearings, headstock bearings, filters, wires, connectors, brake pads/shoes, chain, maybe sprockets, gaskets, points, condenser, carb parts, battery, carb boots, master cylinder rebuild kit, etc. May not seem like much at $50 for a battery and $20 for a set of bearings but it adds up quickly. You'll be into it another $500-$1000 by the time you get it running well and trustworthy. And it will take you a long time to get that bike to that point. I'm thinking that if you want to get your license then you want something to ride, not something to work on in your garage for the next year and wishing you was riding.

You can buy a good looking and running CB350 here for $1000 but I'd think that even in California you could get a nice running bike for $2000-2500 and avoid all the hassle of building it from a box of parts. If you want a project then do that later on for fun but not for your first bike when you're trying to get a license and some time in the seat on the road.
 
Since you're a fellow Californian, trust me when I say this... DO NOT BUY ANYTHING WITHOUT A TITLE!!! Without it, it's just a parts bike. The process of getting the title means tracking down the last registered owner and getting them to sign it off, and it may have not been registered for years. Also, if it is titled make sure it doesn't have back fees (or get the seller to deduct them from the price). Bikes sometimes fall out of the DMV system but not always, and FYI if you have them check the VIN number it puts the bike back into the system.

The first bike has a pinkslip which is a plus, but it's way too expensive. You're going to basically redo everything on it just to get the bike road worthy... find the prices for just doing the brakes, chain & sprockets, carbs and all the things needed to get those back in running order, misc engine parts, fork seals, etc. It's gonna cost you much, much more then it would be for a rough, running bike.

The second bike the ad is gone.

The third bike, run far away. I remember seeing that for sale when I was looking for a bike over a year ago. $1,200 for a non-titled and incomplete bike is a huge ripoff.


Honestly, I would find a good running bike that you can ride and work on. It may not be a "cool" CB but a Suzuki GS or Yamaha/Kawasaki will be similar (and faster tbh), and usually 1/2 the price.

Also, consider driving elsewhere to get the bike. I occasionally see good deals on running/titled UJM's up here in the bay area all the time.
 
Thanks guys! I forgot to mention I used to work at a honda/kawi dealership until they sold and closed shop so I have some connections with part prices if I need to buy nos or just general things. I also am mechanically inclined and will be doing most of the work on my own. Thanks for the info though, it is helping me learn prices and what things are worth while. I'm actually a honda guy when it comes to bikes so my last resort will be a kawi or suzuki haha. Anyway, I was looking a little farther away and I came about this
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/3606010662.html
It seems like a really great deal for two bikes and with a title and other parts. I don't mind putting it back together, I am currently restoring a 71 beetle so I enjoy tinkering and knowing my vehicles inside and out! What are your opinions on it? I want to get it on the road by the summer time at least. Slow project, but want to do it right! Thanks again guys!
 
Make sure it kicks through smoothly before plopping down any money. Any "notchy" feel in the engine, walk away. 350s are still everywhere once you start actively searching for them. No papers = parts junker, and at that plan to chop up and recycle the frame and the numbered engine case, and not in your household bin. Undocumented serial numbers can very quickly become a vacation on the county's dime...

And what do you plan to do with it? You can build a 350 twin to make acceptable power (see the Feb 2013 copy of The Horse, record holder in it), but it's going to cost you... and if you are over about 5'8" it's pretty cramped. I'm 6'2", rode a CB350F in college IF I couldn't get any of my bigger bikes to start.

That said, I'm rebuilding/modifying a 1963 250 Scrambler. Can NEVER be licensed for the street, chassis number exactly matches the engine number (factory chassis had no E in the vin). At some point, it was salvaged and restamped, but without a state inspection and recertification (which the US EPA deems a full custom and you are allowed one in your life under the current regs without an EPA manufacturers' certificate, and I'm not wasting it on a 247cc Honda)... it is track/show/yard art.

It is a nice looking project bike.
 
I plan on just keeping the engine stockish for now. I'm only 5'7” and weigh only 145 so power will be decent for me and size as well. Right now I'm more in the excited state about getting a bike and don't want to buy anything too quickly, which is why I'm asking for your help. I don't want to rush, but the lady bike looks nice. Should be able to get it running by summer. I'm actually taking a semester off from college and working part time do I have time to work on it. Money is kind of tight, but as I said, I don't want anything crazy...root now :) So if the one that was running kicks smoothly, you think that is a good deal? I mean it comes with the parts bike and a title for only $500. I'm rashly starting to like it, but it is two hours away and am hesitant. Thanks again.
 
That's actually quite a deal in California. Or anywhere really, id certainly go look at it.

Make sure it kicks over smooth no weird sounds look for broken cases etc.
 
I'm trying to get ahold of him, but no reply from email and he didn't put a number. I'm just hoping it isn't sold before I get my chance!
 
If it is still there, and everything checks out, $500 is about right for the pair. Rough rule of thumb is $1 per cc for a non-running complete machine. It used to be $1 per cc for running and ridable, but, this isn't the 1980s anymore. And Japanese bikes have become popular (except where I live, out in the country is still pretty much Harley only as far as bars and ride in events go, that said, my main bike is a Suzuki Savage with 15" apes and a full Shovelhead HD rear fender).

I know bikes on the west coast bring real money compared to the deep south, I've only been back in TN for 2 years. I'm from the Seattle area... where $500 would maybe get you a CB twin chassis, forget about an engine (but my 1963 CL was free and already heavily modified for racing)...
 
You'll find one bro.......just keep looking and waiting. The CB350 I have now basically fell into my lap. I hang with a couple guys that actively look for bikes to fix up and sometimes keep for a short time before they get tired of them, where they then sell to pick up another that interest them. I see you are looking in the ie cl. Are you in riverside? And used to work at the defunct dealer that used to be on University? If my any of my boys want to sell any of their bikes I'll pm you. Also, if you are from the area, hit me up and we'll ride once you get sorted out.
Best-
 
I'm from Yucaipa, but that is where I worked(Callaway Motorsports) until the doors closed and sold to Malcolm Smith. It's funny how things work out, I am inactively looking and I find them easily, but as soon as I save enough they become the rarest thing in the world haha.
 
Finally heard back from him! Still has the bike and spoke to him for a few about it and it rotates freely and has compression. Said I seemed the most interested in it and he is going to give me priority. He lives about two hours away from me so I asked a lot of questions and he willingly answered so I think I'm sold! Seems like a great deal and an awesome project. Just might have to sell my dirt bike for funds :)
 
Soooo I bought the bike. It was a pretty sweet deal for $500. I've been pretty busy lately so I haven't been able to do anything to it yet, but I'm anxious to get started. I'm going to start a build thread, but it will be a slow process.
 
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